Chaparral Currant Ribes malvaceum
You all have probably heard about the superbloom in California. Thanks to the winter rains, flowers are in bloom especially California Poppies, Eschscholzia californica. They are a spectacular sight but too many people are trampling them in the hopes of getting great photos of themselves among these beautiful orange flowers. For our little birding adventure, we chose a relatively untraveled forest service road to find some birds and flowers. Since we are at a high elevation, not many flowers are blooming but we did find a few. This currant was the only one we found and what a beauty! The leaves are very fragrant. Just like wine, you can give the scent your own description. I would say it has a touch of citrus in the leaves. What do you think?
California Tortoiseshell, Nymphalis californica
Painted Ladies are no longer the only butterfly on the mountain. We have started seeing these striking butterflies. When their wings are closed, they look like a dead leaf. Quite talented with disguise.
Here is a view from the remote road we chose to explore. We had never walked this road before today. The views were incredible!
This road seems endless. We were the only ones for 6 miles as we descended the mountain.
Common Phacelia Phacelia distans
Common Fiddleneck Amsinckia intermeda
We had to look hard to find these few flowers.
California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum
Since we were in chaparral, we heard quite a few of these singing mimics.
California Scrub- Jay Aphelocoma californica
The scrub-jay loves chaparral especially when they can find scrub oaks, Quercus berberidifolia, to feast on.
This was pretty impressive. If you look closely, you can see the spot up on the hill where this huge boulder once was located. Underneath the boulder, a mini crater was formed. Imagine what that sounded like when it came crashing down this winter!
Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni
After hiking about 3-4 miles, we came to this riparian area with a stream. We never see this vireo on the mountain so it was a huge find for us! For me, the path least traveled is the best. Good luck in finding your own "secret" path.
Click on photos to enlarge.
Photos and content by Robin Roberts.
